‘Sirf hungama khada karna maqsad nahi’: Op Sindoor was just the beginning, says Lt Gen Ghai

Lt Gen Rajiv Ghai on Thursday said Operation Sindoor demonstrated that “Atmanirbhar is not just a slogan, it is indeed a force multiplier,” while highlighting the role of indigenous defence systems and coordinated military operations during the conflict. Addressing a press conference marking one year of the operation, he said more than 65 per cent of India’s defence equipment is now manufactured domestically and described the operation as a calibrated military response that achieved clearly defined objectives without leading to a prolonged conflict.

Operation Sindoor was launched on May 7, 2025, in response to the Pahalgam terror attack in Jammu and Kashmir in which 26 people were killed. During the operation, Indian armed forces carried out strikes on terror launchpads in Pakistan and Pakistan-occupied Jammu and Kashmir. Indian forces targeted nine terror launchpads linked to Lashkar-e-Taiba, Jaish-e-Mohammed and Hizbul Mujahideen, and more than 100 terrorists were killed during the operation.

Speaking about the strategy adopted during the operation, Lt Gen Ghai said India combined decisive military action with escalation control. He said the armed forces “struck hard” and achieved operational objectives before hostilities ceased after Pakistan sought negotiations. According to him, the operation altered the adversary’s risk appetite and disrupted command-and-control structures without drawing India into a prolonged conflict.

Lt Gen Ghai also highlighted the role of intelligence agencies, cyber units and electronic warfare teams during the operation. He said intelligence agencies provided accurate information required for precision targeting, while cyber and electronic warfare units maintained information dominance. He further stated that the government simultaneously managed the international environment, internal security and public reassurance during the operation.

Referring to Operation Sindoor as the beginning of India’s continued fight against terrorism, Lt Gen Ghai quoted poet Dushyant Kumar and said the operation was “not an end” but “just the beginning.” He stated that India would continue to defend its sovereignty, security and people “decisively, professionally and with the utmost responsibility.” He also said the coordinated effort across multiple agencies and operational domains during Operation Sindoor would serve as a model for future military operations.